World Series: Ben Zobrist helps deliver long-awaited title for Cubs

Thanks to one swing, he helped end one of the most talked about title droughts in sports history Wednesday night.

Zobrist’s opposite-field RBI double with one out in the 10th broke a tie and helped lift the Cubs to a 8-7 win over the Indians in Game 7 of the World Series. A year ago he helped lead the Royals to a win in the Fall Classic for the first time in 30 years. Now he is part of the first Cubs world championship team in 108 years and a World Series MVP.

Having a chance to drive in the winning run was an opportunity which fell into his lap.

After a short rain delay, the first two Cubs reached base against Indians reliever Bryan Shaw in the 10th. Kyle Schwarber led with a single, and pinch runner Albert Amora Jr. advanced to second on Kris Bryant’s deep fly to center.

The Indians chose to intentionally walk Anthony Rizzo and face Zobrist. It was a mistake. Zobrist’s double score Almora, setting up a Cubs championship that was 108 years in the making.

“I was looking for a cutter out over the plate,” Zobrist said. “He throws a really tough pitch to hit. I was trying to stay inside of it. I wasn’t able to do it early in the at-bat. I was just battling and grinding up there.

“Fortunately he left that last one over the plate and up to where I just could slap it down the line. That’s what I was trying to do, just out of the reach of the third baseman.”

Zobrist is the first player to World Series MVP honors in his first season with a team since 2005 when Jermaine Dye did it with the White Sox. He also becomes the fourth player to win back-to-back World Series titles in multiple leagues.

— You can reach Mike Popovich at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com or on Twitter @mpopovichREP.